Sectional boilers



Filed Aug. 13, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l xfa mi 26, 5.96@ A. J. DONOHUE sEcTIoNAL BOILERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 13, 1956 nited States Patentr SECTIONAL BOILERS Anthony J. Donohue, Merion, Pa.

Application August 13, 1956, Serial No. 603,545

6 Claims. (Cl. 122-225) This invention relates to sectional boilers for steam and hot water heating which areV also suitable for supplying hot water for domestic consumption.

In recent years the biggest buyers of small homes heating boilers have been builders of new developments. This market is extremely competitive and has resulted in the inability of small cast iron boilers to compete with the newer small steel boilers. This situation is due in part to higher performance standards set by manufacturers of cast iron boilers and in part to the design adaptability of small steel boilers to supply satisfactory domestic hot water service n addition to the heating requirements without appreciably increasing the cost of manufacture. While cast iron boilers can perform this dual service,

ltheir construction heretofore has made it relatively more difficult and costly to add the domestic hot water heater to the boiler.

In my prior application filed July 20, 19,56, Serial No. 599,040, there is shown and described a boiler constructed in an improved manner and in which tankless heaters can be installed with successful performance in smaller cast iron boilers than has heretofore been possible.

As shown and described in said application a vertical flueway sectional boiler is provided consisting of a front section and a back section with a single vertical ueway therebetween for the absorption of heat and the discharge of the products of combustion.

The successful operation of a tankless hot water heater requires a minimum input rating of the order of one gallon per hour of oil or 120,000 B.t.u. per hour of combustible gas. Such input can be expected to provide domestic hot water at the rate of 3 gallons per minute at an average temperature rise of 100 degrees F. for a period of five minutes. Such a domestic hot water draw generally meets the requirements of single family homes because a rapid recovery rate, of the order of about three combustion with extremely small draft loss through the boiler imposes severe design restrictions, particularly if the flueway has a width of about 18 inches.

lf at the same time, the boiler is further accommo dated for table top height, with an overall height limitation of boiler casing of about 36 inches and with only about twelve inches of flueway, the design problem is made even more diiiicult of solution. In my prior application for patent above identified, there is disclosed a construction in which, by the elimination of the push nipple boss at the top of the ueway, theretofore considered essential, a substantially unobstructed flueway was provided so that the boiler was capable of meeting the capacity and design requirements referred to above.

The operation of a boiler with such a flueway can be kfurther enhanced if the bottom of the ueway is constructed as hereinafter described.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a boiler construction with which an improved liueway entrance is provided having increased heat transfer surfaces, whereby the draft loss is reduced at the critical transition location between the combustion chamber and the ueway, and the combustion and the heat absorption at the transition location are greatly improved.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cast iron sectional boiler which overcomes the objectionable features heretofore encountered, particularly in small sizes of boilers.

It is a furtherobject of the present invention to provide a cast iron sectional boiler having a front boiler section and a rear boiler section with a single vertical ueway therebetween and in which the ueway has an improved entrance construction.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a cast iron sectional boiler having a front boiler section and a rear boiler section with a single vertical tlueway therebetween in which the ueway has an improved entrance construction which reduces draft loss at this critical location without sacrificing the provision of adequate heat transfer surfaces, including projections, at this location.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

Ihe nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following-description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical central sectional view of a boiler in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 3-3 of l; and A Fig. 4 is a fragamentary sectional view, enlarged, taken approximately on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

The sectional boiler, in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of vertically disposed cast iron sections in facing relation with an interiorly disposed combustion space or chamber, supplied with fuel for combustion therein, and with a vertical llue between adjoining sections for heat exchange and discharge of products of combustion.

The boiler sections can be connected and held together at the bottom by threaded nipples and can also be connected and held together at the top by a removable head, as shown in my prior application referred to above, which head has hot water delivery and air vent connections and can serve if desired, as a support for submerged domestic water heating coils, for a ow control valve and for a temperature responsive element.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a pair of aligned and meeting sections 12 and 13 of a cast iron sectional boiler substantially table topV height or less are shown which may constitute the front and rear sections. The sections 12 and 13 and the water spaces therein can be connected at the top thereof by a connecting head 14 from which a flow pipe 14a or`14a extends for the delivery of heated water to the heating system. t

The front section 12 is provided with a vsubstantially rearby thei'wall 15.

respectively to the portions 23 and 23a.

straight vertical front wall 15, vertical side walls 16 and.

17 extending rearwardly therefrom, a horizontal bottom wall 18 extending rearwardly from the front wall 15 and .connectedto the side walls V16 and 17, andahorizontal bottom wall 18 extending:rearwardly fromithefrontwalL 4'An'finterrnediate vertical wall Yportion `23 isfprovided 1in spaced parallel relation to the .front:wall15 Vto vprovide'a separating wallV betweenthe upper partof the Vwater space of the front section and a vertical ilue pas-r fsageway 25. The wall portion 23 has 'a pluralityof spaced horizontal projections 24, including a lower row 24.', extendingtherefrom and into the-ue` passageway 2 5 and providing extended heat exchanging surfaces, 4The I.side -walls 16 and 17 provide theside boundaries of the tluewaysl25. Y

The front section 12 also has interiorlytdisposed and below, andin communication withthe tine 4passageway 25, the front part of a combustion Chamber26. Y

-A burner opening 27 extending'through the front wal and into communication with the combustion chamber 26 can -be provided for the insertion ofa burner tube 28 forrsupplying gas or liquid fuel, Vand air for supporting combustion.

Therear section 13 is substantially similar in construction tothe yfront section 12, although of opposite hand, with a vertical rear wall 15a, vertical side walls l16a and 17a vdisposed in -aligned and meeting relation to the side walls 16 and 17 in the assembled condition of the sections 12 and 13, a horizontal bottom wall 18`a,a top wall l9rz-anrd an inner rear wall 15 spaced fromthe wall 15a to provide water circulation vand arear water wall for the Vcombustion'space 26.. Y M

An upper `intermediate wall portion 23a similar to the V"wall portion 23iwith spaced projections 24a, and a lower .prow 24a', extending therefrom and'in registered'relation to the projections 24, and 24 in assembledcondition of lthe .sections 12 andr13. The'rearpart of the combustion chamber or space 26, aligned with the front part thereof, ,is providedin the rear section 13 and is bounded @at the The combustion chamber 26 can lbe lined with refractory material, if desired, when the boiler' is oil tired.

` 'lfhe combustion chamber 26 and the vertical flue Vpassagew-ay'25 'thereabove are in communication through what can be referred to as a transition section or zone and'in accordance with the invention and to provide the transition section or zone the sections 12 and 13`have transverse horizontal wall portions 50 and 50a with trans- 'verse vertical wall portions 51 and 51a extendingupwardly therefrom to aligned horizontal wall portions 52 and 52a. The wall portions 52 and 52a yare connected Atispaced locations the wall portions; 51 and 52 and 51a and 52a have extending therefrom tins or ribs 53and 53a which face downwardly towards the combustion space 26, extendin "a direction 'from front to rear, and provide extended sur- Vfaces for heat absorption from the hot gases of combustion.A Intermediate the ribs53 and '534, inclined walls 54 and 54a are provided connected by vertical'walls 55 and '55a to the wall portions 23 and 52 and 23a and 52a to provide inclined entrance passageways between the combustion chamber 26 and the ue passageway 25. This increases the entrance area to the ue passageway, proi vides an improved character of combustion and of gas flow, and reduces the draft loss heretofore occasioned upon the vmovement of the gases Vfrom thecombustion :chamber 26-'to the passageway 25. An irnproved'charlacter of heat'trans'fer-also occurs at this locationeandeis "aided by the lowerrow of projectons24'f-and 24a' and ther-ribs 53 and'53a. VThe ribs 53 and 53d aid in'g'uid- -ing'they gases into vthe passageway "25. -The y.gases-,from the passagewayV 25 can bedischargedfby-La collecting hood 62, carried.on the top wallsg19 and -19a and with a flange 63 for the attachment of a pipe (not shown) .leading to the stack. n Y Y In use, the hot gases of combustion rise in the combustion chamber 26, contact and are guided and directed by the walls 50, 50a, 51, 51a, 52, 52a and the ns 53 and 53a and the walls 54, 54a, 55 and 55a into the passageway 25 between the walls 23, 16 and 17, and 23a, 16a, and 17a, and pass from the top of the passageway 25 for discharge. I

The gases of combustion, by their contact with the exposed surfaces of the combustion chamber 26 and the passageway 25, and with the lins 53 and 53a and the projections 24, 24 and 24a land 24a', give up'a'large portion of theirheat'content for heatingthe water inthe broiler, so that the temperature of these gases is reduced to permissive and desiredlevelscwhile` thedraft loss is kept to a minimum.

Adequate heat is transferred .to the water in the boiler to provide, within the rated capacity, for the heating system and for domestic hot water.

I claim:

-l. Aj liquid heating boiler having walls'enclosingia liquid space, aniinteriorly disposed combustion chamber .at the lowerpart of said walls and ya ueway of lesser cross section extending therefrom to the top of said walls and having spaced vertical boundary walls, va'transition -sectionbetween said combustion chamber and saiduetively with -the ueway walls and Ytransverse -parts lconnected to said upwardly extending parts and -facing towards said combustion chamber, spaced heat exchanging members extending ltransversely from saidupwardly extending parts into said -flueway and disposed in the `path-fof Vthe `gases directed bysaid liueway lining portions, additional lining wall portions interposed between said Vlrst lining wall portions -and'having parts inwardly inclinedwith re ,spectto saidboundaryv walls for guiding the combustion gases from' the combustion chamber into theflueway,` and additional heat exchanging members spaced above 4and yoliset with respect to said iirstY mentioned heat exchanging members anddisposedV in the path of thergases directed .by 'said inclined parts.

.2. A boiler as defined-in claim l in which said transverse parts have heat exchange tins-extending therefrom and facing 'towards said combustion chamber.

3. -A sectional liquid heatingboiler comprising. aplurality of separate connected vertical liquid heating boiler sectionsV each with enclosing walls, said sections being disposed in facing relation and having therebetween a combustion chamber and a gas discharge passageway having spaced .verticalboundary walls extending upwardly Afrom i' saidl combustion chamber, a Vtransition* section betweensaid combustion chamberv and said gas discharge passageway at the entrance of said passageway, said ltransition section including a plurality of spacedlucway lining Vwall portions with vertical parts aligned with the passageway Vwalls andhorizontal partsV connected to said -vertical parts and facing downwardly towards said comyto be heated, and additional heat vexthangir'lg members spacedA above'fan'd offset with respect to said first'nl'enf tioned'heat exchanging members anddisposed inthe path ofthevg'ases directed by said inclined parts.

4.;Afsectional liquid heatingboiler comprising "plu- "rality ofsepzii-'ate connected vertical boiler sections "ach '-Wifl; emoties Walla Sad wel enclosing Seid 'Sferir being disposed in facing relation and having interior walls therebetween providing a combustion chamber and a vertical gas ueway extending upwardly from said combustion chamber in heat exchange relation to said sections, an integral transition section between said combustion chamber and said ueway in the bottom of said ueway, said transition section including a plurality of horizontally spaced flueway lining wall portions with vertical parts aligned respectively with the flueway walls and horizontal parts connected to said vertical parts and facing downwardly towards said combustion chamber, spaced heat exchanging members extending transversely from said vertical parts into said ueway and disposed in the path of the gases directed by said ueway lining portions, additional lining wall portions interposed between said rst lining wall portions and having parts upwardly and inwardly inclined with respect to said flueway walls for guiding the combustion gases from the combustion chamber into the ueway, and additional heat exchanging members spaced above and offset with respect to said first mentioned heat exchanging members and disposed in the path of the gases directed by said inclined parts.

5. A sectional liquid heating boiler comprising a front and a rear vertical boiler section each having a horizontal top wall, parallel vertical front and rear Walls, and parallel vertical side walls, said sections being disposed in facing relation with their side walls in alignment and having spaced vertical wall portions parallel to said front wall and providing with said side walls a vertical ue, said boiler sections having interior liquid heating spaces and having disposed therebetween and below said flue a combustion chamber, a transition section between said combustion chamber and said flue, said transition section including spaced ue lining wall portions with vertical parts respectively aligned with the ue walls horizontal parts connected to said vertical parts and facing downwardly towards said combustion chamber, spaced heat exchanging members extending transversely from said vertical parts into said ue and disposed in the path of the gases directed by said flue lining portions, additional lining Wall portions interposed between said iirst lining wall portions and having parts upwardly and inwardly inclined with respect to said line 6 walls for guiding the combustion gases from the com bustion chamber into the liue, and additional heat exchanging members spaced above and offset with respect to said rst mentioned heat exchanging members and disposed in the path of the gases directed by said inclined parts.

6. A sectional liquid heating boiler comprising a front and rear vertical boiler section each having a horizontal top wall, parallel vertical front and rear walls, and parallel vertical side walls, said sections being disposed in facing relation with their side walls in alignment and having spaced vertical wall portions parallel to said front wall and providing with said side walls a vertical ueway, said boiler sections having interior liquid heating spaces and having disposed therebetween and below said ilueway a combustion chamber, and a transition section interposed directly between said combustion chamber and said ilueway, said transition section including spaced ueway lining wall portions with vertical parts respectively aligned with the ueway wall portions and horizontal parts connected to said vertical parts and facing downwardly towards said combustion chamber, spaced heat exchanging members extending transversely from said vertical parts into said ueway and disposed in the path of the gases directed by said ueway lining portions, additional lining wall portions interposed between said irst lining wall portions and having parts upwardly and inwardly inclined with respect to said ueway wall portions for guiding the combustion gases from. the combustion chamber into the flueway, said horizontal parts having spaced downwardly extending heat exchange ns facing towards said combustion chamber, and additional heat exchanging members spaced above and offset with respect to said first mentioned heat exchanging members and disposed in the path of the gases directed by said inclined parts.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,128,842 Morgan Aug. 30, 1938 2,239,066 Watson Apr. 22, 1941 2,316,603 Livar Apr. 13, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l CERTTFICATE 0F CORRECTION Paen Nm7 2,2934QO46 April 26Y 1960 Anthony Jo Donohue Column 3Sl line 5q for 'Ebottom Wall 18" read top wall 19 um@ Signed and sealed this-20th day of September l960 SEAL) Attest:

KARL Ho AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Aesting O'cer Commissioner of Patents 

